School Committee Meeting Summary
March 25, 2021
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Public/Citizen Participation of School Committee Meeting
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic and State of Emergency, on March 12, 2020, Governor Baker issued an Executive Order Temporarily Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A sec. 20. Pursuant to the Order, public bodies are temporarily relieved from the Open Meeting Law’s requirement that meetings be held in public places, open and physically accessible to the public, so long as measures are taken to ensure public access to the bodies' deliberations "through adequate, alternative means."
Citizens with a question or comment can join the meeting through the Zoom. The “chat” feature will be enabled at the “Citizens Comments” portion of the Agenda. Participants are asked to comment in the chat that they would like to speak, indicate your name and address in the chat and you will then be let into the Meeting. Please unmute your microphones at that time. If you have any questions regarding this process, or would like to send a comment in advance, please email mmortali@walpole.k12.ma.us.
All votes taken by the School Committee in a remote participation meeting are done via roll call.
The recorded School Committee Meeting can be accessed here.
Walpole High School Student Report
Grace R., Walpole High School student representative to the School Committee, gave a report as follows:
- The high school is wrapping up the third term before Easter weekend. The last term begins on April 5th, the same week students return all in person. Students and teachers are optimistic and looking forward to being all back together!
- Despite their seasons being moved, the Fall 2 season sports have gotten off to a great start! Everyone continues to be working hard with football at 1-1, volleyball at 3-3, and winter track at 0-2.
- Additionally, spring sports are set to hold tryouts on April 26th.
- As usual, clubs are keeping busy at the high school.
- The school newspaper, “The Searchlight”, issued a magazine this week for the month of March.
- Film students have finished up their films for this year and the Film Festival is currently being planned.
- Mock Trial finished up their season a couple weeks ago and the Speech and Debate team continues to succeed with many members placing in their last competition on March 13th.
- Student Council is looking forward to participating in the state student council conference on April 9th and 10th with MASC. Also, Student Council is helping to plan senior events including graduation and the car parade, which was a big hit last year! Both events are set to be on June 6th.
RECOGNITIONS
2. Bird/Johnson Middle School Drama Clubs - Bird Middle School Grade 8 students Riley Schultz and Joey Malone were virtually present to talk about this year's production of "High School Musical". Mr. Dave Cuzzi was present and shared that due to the pandemic, this production has been done differently than past productions. Auditions were done virtually and in-person rehearsals are done safely with masks and safe distancing. The production will be taped and shown digitally. Mr. Cuzzi thanked all of the production crew and students who contribute so much to make this production.
Also virtually present from Johnson Middle School were Advisor Kim Calandrelli and students Amelia Durso and Justin Barossi. This year Johnson Middle School is holding two virtual productions. One is a podcast of a Sherlock Holmes radio mystery and the second is a virtual show entitled “The Search for Intelligent Life on Earth” where aliens are interviewing earthlings such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and a werewolf. Ms. Calendrelli thanked all of the Johnson staff and students who are participating in these productions.
Each of the students indicated how happy they are that these productions are taking place. The pandemic has halted many events and this undertaking involves a lot of coordination, cooperation, creative thinking, and solutions for which they are grateful.
Walpole Music Program
Tim Fleming, K-12 Music Coordinator/High School Band Director, was present to talk about the Walpole Public School music program. He spoke to the guidelines and restrictions set in place to keep all students as safe as possible. Some of these restrictions involve singing and wind playing instruments being performed outdoors. String and percussion instruments were allowed indoors with a 6-foot distance. Restrictions were eased in October allowing wind instruments indoors at 10 feet and bell covers and special instrument masks allowed. As of March 1st, singing is allowed indoors at a 10-foot distance with masks but with a 30-minute limit. Outside music is still utilized as much as possible. He mentioned that the middle school was introduced to the Ukulele this year in general music. The elementary focus is on rhythmic aspects and movement. Mr. Fleming talked about the importance of music at home due to the hybrid models of students’ participation from home. Mr. Fleming said there are many online platforms being utilized to assist with virtual learning. The Johnson Middle School Chorus plans a virtual performance this spring as well as an audience-free concert. Walpole High School is planning an outdoor concert to be held on May 19th. Details are still being worked out and more information will follow from those schools. Mr. Fleming is proud of the numerous high school acceptances into regional honor bands, including three into All States! All high school assembles continue to meet this spring, including spring chorus, orchestra, concert band and jazz band. This has been a highly collaborative effort through the full music department.
Mr. Fleming talked about the Walpole Friends of Music. This is a volunteer organization supporting K-12 music education in the Walpole Public Schools. This organization raises donations from businesses and individuals to support the music program financially and volunteers time to support music activities. They have provided:
- Over $30,000 in musical instrument purchases
- $20,000 in scholarships and awards
- $30,000 in musical enrichment and guest performances
- Volunteering at school concerts, statewide competition
- Transportation
- Numerous student pride activities.
COMMUNITY HELP NEEDED:
The Walpole Friends of Music needs the community help to sustain this work into the future. The Steering Committee is a small, dedicated fun group of volunteers meeting once a month to plan activities and funding for our schools’ music education. Most of this Committee has children that have graduated and it’s important to have parents of current students to continue their mission.
Please consider joining this Committee by reaching out to wfriendsofmusic@aol.com or send a direct message to them via Facebook @WalpoleFriendsofMusic. The Walpole Friends of Music website can be found at http://www.walpolefriendsofmusic.org.
Strategic Plan
The Walpole Strategic Plan is an inclusive, hands-on planning process designed to build district and school capacity and coherence while also building community understanding and support. It establishes a long-range direction for the district and provides a clear focus for future pursuits by identifying priorities for improvement. This plan includes a multi-year improvement plan and annual action plan priorities for implementation. Strategic planning supports Walpole Public Schools to think and act strategically, develop effective strategies, clarify future directions, establish priorities, improve organizational performance, build teamwork and expertise, and deal effectively with a rapidly changing environment.
Ultimately, the strategic plan is intended to be a broad document to inform:
- Superintendent Goals
- Leadership Council Goals
- School Improvement Plans
- Principal Goals Teachers Goals
The Walpole Public Schools Strategic Plan committee is comprised of over 50 participants including administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, students, and community stakeholders met virtually on February 24th. The team summarized the progress from last year’s priorities, identified two new goals, and evaluated our current goals to recommend priorities for next year.
Each of the Chairpersons from each goal discussed the four goals and action steps. The goals are:
Goal 1: To provide engaging curriculum, differentiated instruction, and ongoing assessments for all students.
- 1.1 Create consistent, coherent, and sustainable curriculum maps for PreK – 12
- 1.2 Provide personalized learning through flexible instructional practice that fosters growth for all students.
- 1.3 Utilize qualitative and quantitative data to inform instruction and improve practice.
- 2.1 Identify and provide professional development and resources for families, students, and staff
- 2.2 Embed consistent social emotional learning practices across curriculum
- 2.3 Engage, educate, and partner with students, families, and communities
- 2.4 Develop ethical students who value multiple perspectives and demonstrate responsible citizenship in the school and community
Goal 3: To demonstrate a high level of Cultural Proficiency as evidenced by active promotion of diversity in all aspects of instruction, learning, and participation, thus ensuring equity for all and full inclusion of members of the educational and greater community.
- 3.1 Focused leadership to analyze and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in Walpole Public Schools
- 3.2 Create a shared community vision of belonging where everyone feels accepted, valued, heard, and encouraged to participate as their authentic selves
- 3.3 Infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion within the curricular and co-curricular activities and instruction
Goal 4: To ensure that facilities and resources support student learning and well-being.
- 4.1 Effectively provide for the safety, health, and welfare of all members of the Walpole school community
- 4.2 Identify and plan for future ready facilities projects
- 4.3 Identify, secure, and responsibly manage sustainable funding for all school department needs.
Superintendent Report
Many of us have expressed sadness and fear about increased acts of racism and have looked to schools to use our voices to combat discrimination and take a stance against bigotry. Sadly, last week, another act of violence took the lives of eight people, including six Asian-American women. While the exact motivations of this most recent incident may not be entirely clear, what is clear is that there has been an increase in anti-Asian hate incidents during the pandemic. Since the start of the pandemic, violence against Asian-Americans has increased by 150%. Schools play a crucial role in educating all children to be tolerant, kind, and celebrate our differences. We reaffirm our commitment to being an anti-racist district and community that effectively and equitably educates, supports, cares for, sees, and welcomes all of our students and their families. We will continue to work together to provide a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for all who walk through our doors.
As a reminder, Monday, April 5th, our schools (K-12) will return to full in-person learning. Physical distancing in the classrooms and other educational spaces will now be at a minimum of 3 feet. Lunches and snacks, however, will remain at 6 feet of social distancing. Commonly asked questions were shared with families on March 12th and can be found on the district website (March 12th Superintendent update). The district will continue to work collaboratively with our Nurse Leader and Board of Health to continue with the necessary safety protocol to minimize risk. Contact tracing and quarantining will continue per our protocol. It is important to note, as we have done all year, we will be prepared to make changes at each level as needed. In preparation for the shift, Thursday, April 1 will be an asynchronous learning day, and there is no school on Friday, April 2. Please be reminded that breakfast and lunches for PreK-12 will continue to be provided for free. If you have any questions about transportation, contact Kim Poirier @ kpoirier@walpole.k12.ma.us. Any questions about the Extended Day program should be directed to Devin Clifford @ dclifford@walpole.k12.ma.us
Dr. Gough was pleased to announce that Walpole Public Schools has been awarded a Governor’s Emergency Education Relief: Early Literacy Screening Assessment Grant for $24,581. This grant will be used to provide early literacy screening assessments for grades K-3. In addition, the grant will support professional development for all elementary school staff to analyze and read the data reports from the screening assessment tool to support student learning and literacy. Walpole Public Schools is grateful to the state to support this initiative and its commitment to using valid, reliable early literacy screening assessments to inform instructional decision-making and planning in the early grades. A special thank you to our K-5 ELA Coordinator, Shannon Findley, who led the effort to apply and write the grant.
Middle School Building Project: We will hold our next community forum on April 7th at 7:00 p.m. The Project Team will update the status and timeline leading to the Town Meeting this Fall. An overview of the scheduled options will be provided as well as an estimated schedule, budget, funding, and next steps.
MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT
Mr. Jarvis discussed the space summary for the B1 option. He said the B1 design has approximately 174,000 gross square feet. The School Building Committee meets approximately every two weeks and is investigating possible reductions in the square footage of this building. Mr. Jarvis explained that the MSBA guidelines for the gross square footage of a building is 144,800. As a comparison, he shared examples of recently built Massachusetts middle school projects showing the enrollment size and square footage.
Mr. Jarvis also reviewed the MSBA Reimbursement Rate. The MSBA Reimbursement Rate is the base plus incentives for eligible project costs. Walpole’s projected reimbursement rate is in the 48% range. The rate could be higher if certain incentives were utilized. Incentives such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs (LEED) programs and maintenance programs.
Mr. Jarvis said with the current B1 concept the estimated total project cost is approximately $116 million dollars. The estimated MSBA basis for maximum facilities grant is around $67 million dollars. The estimated town share would be roughly $80 million dollars. Mr. Jarvis also provided examples of the annual tax impact based on an average single-family home in Walpole valued at $556,167. If $80 million dollars were borrowed at a 3.5% rate over 30 years, the cost per year is estimated to be $450 per single-family household.
A Community Forum is scheduled for April 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. This forum will provide:
- Project status and the timeline leading to Town Meeting this Fall
- An overview of the selected option including estimated schedule, budget, and funding
- The next steps and important upcoming meetings
- Question and Answer session.
Community participation is strongly encouraged. Notices will be mailed to all Walpole residents very soon.
The School Committee did vote to request that the Select Board sign a special election warrant for the November 2021 Special Election for the purpose of funding a new Walpole middle school project.
This is a very exciting opportunity to build a new middle school for our students! Please visit the webpage here for more information.
Walpole Public Schools
Website: www.walpole.k12.ma.us
Location: 135 School Street, Walpole, MA 02081
Phone: 508-660-7200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/walpolepublicschools/
Twitter: @PublicWalpole